bog-standard, bog-common
Christian Weisgerber
"bog-common"? If this is from "bog" as in swamp, the connection
isn't all that obvious.
--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
Peter Duncanson (BrE)
Weisgerber) wrote:
>What is the first element of the adjectiv(al phras)es "bog-standard",
>"bog-common"? If this is from "bog" as in swamp, the connection
>isn't all that obvious.
You will not be surprised to learn that we have discussed this before.
I don't think we managed to improve on the OED article:
bog-standard, adj.
slang (depreciative, chiefly Brit.).
[Origin uncertain; perh. an alteration of BOX-STANDARD adj.
(although this is first attested later), after BOG n.4 { slang. =
BOG-HOUSE, latrina.}
Differing theories of the origin of bog-standard have been
proposed, but none proven. An immediate association with BOG n.1
seems unlikely on semantic grounds. The most commonly held view is
that the transition from box to bog resulted from a mishearing or
misunderstanding of BOX-STANDARD n.
Others have suggested a derivation < bog-wheel, former Cambridge
slang for a bicycle, though ultimately also related to BOG n.4: see
P. Beale Conc. Dict. Slang (1989) 47/2, 48/1.]
Ordinary, basic, standard; without extra features or modification;
unexceptional or uninspired. Cf. BOX-STANDARD adj.
1968 Hot Car Oct. 35/1 The brakes are bog-standard{em}anyway Barry
says he only uses them in the paddock!
1972 Daily Mirror 15 May 21/1 She was �bog standard�{em}meaning
straight from the production line without modifications.
box-standard, n. and a.
[< BOX n.2 + STANDARD n. Cf. later BOG-STANDARD a.
The sense in which box can be understood in the phrase varies. In
the earlier noun, box reflects the hollow framework: hollow tubing
is the most economical (and hence most common) material with which
to build a strong frame or mounting. In the adjective, box is often
understood as a reference to packaging, though in quot. 1983, the
sense is clearly of the box as a shape or frame.
Given the strong anecdotal evidence of an early association with
motorcycles and cars (see note s.v. BOG-STANDARD a.), it is possible
the technical sense of the noun was originally present in the
adjective, but that box standard came later to be interpreted (or
rationalized) as meaning �a standard engine frame, etc., without
modifications, such as one might expect straight from the
manufacturer's box�, in turn giving rise to the present sense.]
{dag}A. n. A frame or standard of hollow tubing forming the main
framework of a machine, engine, etc. Obs.
B. adj. colloq. (chiefly Brit.). In motoring, engineering, and other
technical contexts: in standard manufactured form, unmodified;
(hence) basic, unexceptional.
Perhaps used originally of motorcycles and cars: see notes in
etymology and BOG-STANDARD a.
1983 Computerworld 21 Feb. (In Depth Suppl.) 2/3 We cannot foresee a
day when a computer becomes just a standard box. There will be
box-standard machines along the road, but we do not simply have to
make those. There will always be something fresh waiting to be done.
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
Mike Lyle
I understood the expression at once the first time I heard it, and had
the impression that it was just using "bog" as a slightly original
pejorative which didn't really need much of an etymology. Bogs are
ill-reputed marshy places (though in reality beautiful and fascinating),
or slangy lavatories, and have long been attached to "Irish" as a kind
of denigration: "bog-Irish" refers to extreme rusticity. There was also
the "bog-eyed Sprite", a little sports car with froggy headlamps.
Quite a lot of these informal expressions have little etymology to bless
themselves with, and don't need it. "It gets up my nose" is a clear
metaphor; but "It gets on my tits" hasn't got much literal meaning to
start from, but works just fine.
--
Mike.
Peter Duncanson (BrE)
<mike_l...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> There was also
>the "bog-eyed Sprite", a little sports car with froggy headlamps.
Interesting. I met that as "bug-eyed Sprite".
Google finds only 2 results for "bog-eyed Sprite" and asks: Did you
mean: "bug-eyed Sprite". There are more results for that version but
only 43 of them.
I assume that the latter comes from "bug-eyed, a.; orig. U.S. Having
bulging eyes; esp. in phr. bug-eyed monster, an extra-terrestrial
monster with bulging eyes; abbrev. B.E.M."
Skitt
> I understood the expression at once the first time I heard it, and had
> the impression that it was just using "bog" as a slightly original
> pejorative which didn't really need much of an etymology. Bogs are
> ill-reputed marshy places (though in reality beautiful and
> fascinating), or slangy lavatories, and have long been attached to
> "Irish" as a kind of denigration: "bog-Irish" refers to extreme
> rusticity. There was also the "bog-eyed Sprite", a little sports car
> with froggy headlamps.
That was "bug-eyed Sprite" in these parts. Makes more sense.
That's 136,000 to 4 (including your message), by Google.
--
Skitt (AmE)
Frank ess
Results 1 - 50 of about 494,000 for "bug-eye Sprite". (0.58 seconds)
The thing of it is, my version is a different kind of word. (Mine was
a 1959, white.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~fsheff/sprite.htm )
--
Frank ess
Peter Duncanson (BrE)
<ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote:
>On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:59:57 -0000, "Mike Lyle"
><mike_l...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> There was also
>>the "bog-eyed Sprite", a little sports car with froggy headlamps.
>
>Interesting. I met that as "bug-eyed Sprite".
>
>Google finds only 2 results for "bog-eyed Sprite" and asks: Did you
>mean: "bug-eyed Sprite". There are more results for that version but
>only 43 of them.
>
Those searches were for "pages from the UK" only.
musika
Skitt <ski...@comcast.net> typed:
In the UK it was known as the "frog-eye".
--
Ray
UK
Mike Page
'bug-eyed' and 'frog-eyed'.
--
Mike Page
Google me at port.ac.uk if you need to send an email.
Roland Hutchinson
Oooh--they really _do_ look like frog eyes!
--
Roland Hutchinson
He calls himself "the Garden State's leading violist da gamba,"
... comparable to being ruler of an exceptionally small duchy.
--Newark (NJ) Star Ledger ( http://tinyurl.com/RolandIsNJ )
Mike Lyle
Ah, a relief, perhaps. I don't _think_ I was misremembering, and, if
not, maybe it was just our small circle.
--
Mike.
Vinny Burgoo
> Skitt <skit...@comcast.net> typed:
> > That was "bug-eyed Sprite" in these parts. Makes more sense.
> > That's 136,000 to 4 (including your message), by Google.
>
> In the UK it was known as the "frog-eye".
Around here, it's known as 'one of Uncle Gerry's'.
--
VB